Alibaba in talks to buy back stake in Alipay unit: WSJ

(Reuters) - Alibaba Holdings Inc is in talks with major shareholders to reclaim a stake in its online-payment affiliate, Alipay, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

If the agreement were reached, it would not be expected to take effect before Alibaba's expected U.S. initial public offering, and would face regulatory review in China, according the people quoted in the report.